N.Z. FARMERS' UNION

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 9, Issue 527, 30 April 1920, Page 4

N.Z. FARMERS' UNION

FRANKLIN SUB-PROVINCIAL DISTRICT,

ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the Franklin Sub-Provincial District New Zealand Fanners' Union was held in the A. and P. Society's room, Manukau Road (Pukekohe), on Wednesday. April 28, 1920. Present: Messrs. H. 0. Mellsop (Kohekohe) in chair, D. D. Hayes (Otaua), John Schlaepfer (Pukekohe), C. Hodgkinson (Glenbrook), L. Morgan (Pukekohe East). E. Piggott (Buckland) and A. L. Hull (Waiuku). The minutes of the last annual meeting were read and confirmed. As a copy of the balance sheet had already been sent to each member of the executive, it was taken as read. It showed a deficit of £139.

The president expressed regret that more delegates were not present. He then read the following report:— It is with extreme regret that we have, at the end of the second year of our existence as a sub-provincial district to still record a shortage of funds and have to advise a further reduction of expenditure.

The finance of our district would be in quite a healthy condition if all nominal members were financial, ihe one and ui'gent need of the Farmers' Union to-day is not so much more members or better attendance at meetings (although the two former are very desirable), as for our members to come forward and pay their branch secretaries the money due without giving these men (who gratuitously give so much time in their fellow-farmers' interests) any unnecessary work or* trouble. Our union as a union working for the interests and betterment of its members and the whole farming community was never before in a better position (with the exception of its finances), had never before been able to claim half the recognition it can to-day command. We are consulted, listened to and heeded by our Government and ruling bodies, and fellow citizens throughout the Dominion, and there is every indication of our union being in the very near future the powen in the land which it should be, the power which its earnest workers during the past 19 years have striven to make it. This recognition of our position and power is apparently least apparent to many of our farmers themselves, and it is a continuous cry the lack of funds. We know that in case of emergency ort when particularly needed we have the weight and wealth of the farming community behind us, but in the meantime we must have funds to keep our ship afloat and make our organisation perfect, and the small amount of our subscription, £1 per annum, six shillings less than the members of our domestic union pay. should at least ensure prompt payment and universal membership. With regard to our future working with the Franklin sub-pro-vincial district, after long and careful consideration I can only suggest that we cut out all expenditure at present and ask all branches to remittheh< levies of 10s per member direct to the provincial office, paying the sub-provincial levy to our treasurer for liquidation of our overdraft, and that all members willing be invited to pay several years' subscriptions in advance. If w« can in this way extinguish our oveudraft the branches will be in a better position, and we can plan a more active campaign among the farmers in their respective districts with the funds at their" disposal. The sub-provincial districts were founded in the first instance with the idea of enabling an organisation to be employed, and this having in most cases proved a failure we must look to other methods of increasing our membership. I do not suggest that our Pukekohe meetings should be abolished; on the contrary, I think that much good can accrue from periodical meetings at this centre. In conclusion, I would like to congratulate members -."of- this executive on their attendance at meetings, involving loss of time and expense, also on the good spirit of discussion. I had hoped when accepting the presidency for the past year to be able to attend at least one meeting of each branch, but have found it quite impossible. The president then called for nominations.

Mr Piggott proposed that Mr Mellsop be ne-elected president. This was seconded by Mr. Hayes and carried unanimously. Vice-Presidents. The president then called for nominations for the position of two vice-presidents. On the motion of Mr. Hodgkinson, seconded by Mr. Hayes, Mr. Hull was nominated for vice-president. On the motion of Mr. Mellsop seconded by Mr. Hull, Mr. Piggott was nominated for vice-president. Mr. Piggott declined. He said that his political attitude might be injurious to the union. He stood for labour, and there were some who stated that he should be kicked out of the union. They were not members of the "subprovincial executive however. Mr. Mellsop stated that he could not agree with Mr. Piggott. In the past the Fanners' Union had been accused of being another name for the lieform League. Now some accused it of standing for Socialism. The farmers embraced all shades of political opinion, and it had to adapt its platform to suit. They were out for the best interests of the farming community, and not any one political faction. They required to have an open and unprejudiced mind. As it was the unanimous request of all present Mn. Piggott agreed to stand. Mr. Hull and Mr. Piggott were duly elected. Mr. Schlaepfer was elected treasurer and Mr. Dean auditor. After discussion it was decided to defer consideration of the financial position until after the Provincial Conference.